Bathroom Design Details You Can't Ignore

Fresh Fabric

Although a bathroom doesn't have as many opportunities for incorporating fabric as say, a living room, it can be an easy way to add pattern and texture. Gorgeous bathroom window treatments will take your space to the next level. If you're looking for a fabric upgrade on a dime, do it with a shower curtain. You'll find plenty of showstopping options without any sticker shock.

• Our Favorite Bathroom Window Treatment Ideas

Detailed Cabinetry

Your bathroom cabinets work hard to hide beauty products and other clutter. Advance your vanity beyond basic with a little extra design oomph—think gorgeous hardware, an eye-catching color, or architectural overlays. Pick a vanity that keys off your bathroom's design aesthetic for a unified look, or branch out into something that juxtaposes the sensibility of your bath for an eclectic look.

• Our Best Bathroom Vanity Makeover Ideas

What Makes a Bath Beautiful?

Go luxe with these bathroom design ideas, including dark wood finishes that add depth, double showerheads, and a tile bathtub surround. Watch and find out what makes these luxury bathrooms stand out from the rest. It's the details that make the difference, whether your bathroom is large or small.

Stunning Shower Tile

With nearly infinite color, material, and designs available, customizing a shower with tile has never been easier. For a bathroom shower idea that'll save you money, outfit most of the shower in a simple, affordable tile, but pull out all the stops with an accent tile. Apply your accent tile to the back wall of the shower or in a single border that wraps around the shower walls.

Sculptural Faucet

Even the simplest of bathroom vanities and sinks can be elevated with a beautiful faucet, whether you love the intricate, vintage look of a bridge-style faucet, or the sleek, contemporary lines of a streamlined model. Swapping out a faucet is a relatively simple DIY task, as long as you are putting it in the same spot. If you want to move the sink entirely or add new water lines, it's best to call a plumber.

• Everything You Need to Know About Faucets

Clever Bathroom Storage

Bathroom storage is essential, and when you can find ways to incorporate more of it, you'll fall in love with your bathroom over and over again. Here, a built-in bench in a small alcove adds extra storage without obstructing the natural light the windows offer. Wicker baskets slide underneath the bathroom built-in to hold extra linens or toiletries.

Handsome Function

If you're looking for another place to squeeze in more bathroom storage, look to the counter of a double vanity. If you find all that extra counter space is going to waste, but you could really use more storage, consider countertop bathroom cabinets positioned between the sinks. Compromise with a cabinet that's shallower than the countertop depth, which still leaves some counter space.

Intricate Flooring

Tile remains one of the best options for bathroom floors thanks to its water resistance. But don't let your floors be a blank slate—a gorgeous tile pattern adds interest underfoot to this bathroom interior. Bonus points if the floors have an artistic mix of tones, colors, and tile shapes.

Contrasting Sink

Since it's something you'll use daily, make your sink part of your bathroom decor ideas. Take your sink into unexpected territory with a bowl that contrasts the surrounding countertop. Here, a hammered nickel sink contrasts the surrounding sleek honed Carrara marble countertop.

Vessel Sink

Install your sink above the countertop and you'll take your bathroom's style up a notch. Vessel sinks come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials, and add a sculptural element to a bathroom's design. This bathroom design features a single vessel sink with two sculptural faucets for statement style in a shared space.

Mirror, Mirror

Bathroom mirror ideas are almost endless. Round, oval, and even scalloped—mirrors come in a variety of shapes, so you don't have to settle for a boring rectangle. Here, Venetian-style mirrors add elegance to a cottage-style bathroom. Try a mosaic of smaller mirrors or opt for one large statement mirror than spans two sinks.

Get on Your Feet

Clawfoot bathtubs are a gorgeous addition in their own right, but beautifully appointed feet are the icing on the cake. A handsome tub filler also elevates a freestanding bathtub. An over-the-tub caddy is a smart bathroom design detail that lets you sip and read while you soak.

Wow-Worthy Walls

Yes, you can use wallpaper in your bathroom decor ideas. A bold wall color is a good choice, but a unique wallpaper is a next-level design choice. Keeping the rest of the elements simple and tailored results in a look that's impactful but not garish. This is also a chance to play with colors and patterns you might hesitate to commit to in a larger space.

• Discover More Bathroom Wallpaper Ideas

Tile Mix

"The more, the merrier" applies to tile in a bathroom. Using two or more types of tile creates visual contrast. Use tiles in different scales, materials or shapes, but include a unifying element, such as color, that will help the tiles harmonize.

All Lit Up

With all the sconces, pendants and fixtures out there, settling for basic bathroom lighting is a missed opportunity for some serious style. Because good lighting is so essential in a bathroom, it's important to not sacrifice functionality. Although bathrooms are often small, be sure to include ambient light (overall, indirect lighting that illuminates broadly), as well as task lighting (lighting that illuminates work areas, such as around the vanity). Use accent lighting (track lights and adjustable recessed lights) to highlight architecture or other elements in the room.

Shower Amenities

It's worth it to pay attention to bathroom details in a shower. A built-in seat, spa-like rain showerheads, and even pebble floor tiles take a shower from a purely functional feature to an all-out experience. A column of recessed shelves with their own peek of accent tile provides a spot to store shampoos and soap at reach.

Backsplash Accent

Backsplashes aren't just for kitchens—try them as a bathroom decor idea. Add a band of tile behind your faucet for an extra dose of interest. If the rest of your walls are tiled, use a contrasting material in this spot so the feature stands out.

Pretty Knobs and Pulls

Unique hardware adds extra polish to bathroom cabinets and vanities. And it's a detail you can update without a full-on bathroom remodel. Often, you can easily replace standard, existing hardware with knobs or pulls more tailored to your tastes.

• Learn How to Replace Bathroom Cabinet Hardware

Towel Bar

A towel rack is functional, of course, but you don't have to stick with a basic chrome or nickel version. Try an industrial-style towel bar made from pipes or a modern lucite version. Adding thoughtful touches to your small bathroom design ideas can make the difference between a forgettable space and one that lives large for its size.

Custom Artwork

Just because bathrooms are functional and wall space is limited doesn't mean you can't give them some personality. For easy bathroom decor ideas, turn to art. Hang one statement piece of wall art above your bathtub or toilet. Display a few framed prints on your vanity. Add some humidity-loving plants in small planters or keep a vase handy for fresh flowers. Use floating shelves for both storage and accessory display.

• More Bathroom Wall Decor Ideas

Bathroom Rugs

In a room with lots of hard surfaces, a rug or two adds much-needed softness and texture to your bathroom interior. They also help warm up cold tile floors. You're not limited to the bath mat aisle, either. Try a runner that spans the length of a long vanity or double sinks.

Rolling Storage

Repurpose a rolling cart for the bathroom that can be pulled up where you need it and stowed out of the way when you're done. Stock if with spare linens, cosmetics, or spa day essentials. We won't judge if you keep a section of it available for its original purpose—say, holding a glass of wine.